Roll slicing system

ABSTRACT

A roll slicing system comprising a machine having a plurality of rotatable disc-like knives operable within a normally horizontal plane and adapted to slice into clusters of rolls, between the tops and bottoms thereof. The knives are supported on vertical shafts, which must pass between pairs of rolls along the separable joints between the same. To separate clusters from each other and to provide for the passage of the shafts which support the knives, pairs of rotatable spindles having narrow operative ends thereon are driven in opposite rotary directions and a pair of the same separate clusters adjacent the entrance to the machine and additional pairs are positioned to pass along the natural joint between adjacent rolls to break the same apart along the natural joint above the sliced incissions made by the knives. The operative ends of the latter spindles are mounted immediately above and adjacent the leading ends of the disc-like knives.

Umted States Patent 1 [111 3,911,769 Lecrone Oct. 14, 1975 ROLL SLICING SYSTEM Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie [75] lnventor: Dale S. Lecrone, Jackson, Mich. Attorney Agent or Flrm c Hercus Just [73] Assignee: LeMatic, Inc., Michigan Center, [57] ABSTRACT A roll slicing system comprising a machine having a [22] Filed; Oct 2 9 plurality of rotatable disc-like knives operable within a normally horizontal plane and adapted to slice into [2]] Appl' 517,623 clusters of rolls, between the tops and bottoms Related s Application Data thereof. The knives are supported on vertical shafts, [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No 367 844 June 7 which must pass between pairs of rolls along the Sepa- 1973 abandone rable joints between the same. To separate clusters from each other and to provide for the passage of the 52 us. Cl. ..l 83/4 Shafts which SuP10oft the knives Pairs Of mtatable 51 Int. cl. B26D 3/08; B26D 4/76 Spindles having Operative ends there are [58] Field of Search 83/4 driven in opposite rotary directions and a Pair of the same separate clusters adjacent the entrance to the [56] References Cited machine and additional pairs are positioned to pass UNITED STATES PATENTS along the natural joint between adjacent rolls to break the same apart along the natural joint above the sliced 2,669,269 2/1954 Schm dt 83/4 incissions made by the knives The operative ends of 22133; the latter spindles are mounted immediately above 3570 732 3/1971 Merck... ::..............III:IIII::I s5 4 x and adjacent the leading ends of the disc'like kmves' 24 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures J 48 40 46 28 28 3 ,4 /5 l I]: 4

3 F I 40 /e j 58 54 1 3 as? 4 v l l I L 24 E J 30 U .S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 1 015 3,911,769

U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of 5 3,911,769

Sheet 3 of 5 US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 4 of 5 us. Patent oct.14,1975 Shet5of5 3,911,769

ROLL SLICING SYSTEM This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.- 367,844, filed June 7, 1973, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Machines to'slice clusters of rolls by cutting the same inwardly from one side between the top and bottom of the rolls has been accomplished heretofore by disc-like knives rotated at high speeds, each knife slicing pairs of connected rolls simultaneously for the majorportion of the width of said rolls, thereby leaving a so-called hinge along one unsliced edge of each roll. in order to provide for the passage of the spindles which support the disc-like knife along the joint between the upper portions of the rolls to be sliced, it has been customary heretofore to employ a vertical knife which partially slices adjoining rolls in a cluster; substantially along the joint between the rolls, such vertical slicing knife being positioned ahead of the horizontal slicing knives. Normally, the vertical slicing knives were arranged to slice downwardly from'the top of the cluster of rolls to a depth approximately midway between the top and bottom of the rolls and thereby provide a clearance for the shaft of the horizontal slicing knives when such knives were reached by the roll containing the partial vertical slits.

The joints between rolls of elongated types and especially those normally intended for use with frankfurters, commonly known as hot dogs, the formed particles of dough from which the rolls are baked normally are fabricated automatically. While the sizes and shapes of said particles of dough are substantially uniform, when the same are arranged in a bake pan and have been baked, the longitudinal joints between adjacent rolls frequently varies from a straight line. Hence, when an attempt is made to slice downwardly from the top of a cluster of rolls to a depth substantially midway between the top and bottom thereof, as described above, for' purposes of providing a clearance for the shaft of the horizontal knife, it is obvious that the clusters of rolls are fed to the vertical knife by a supporting conveyor which moves the clusters in a substantially straight line.

Accordingly, if the natural joint between adjacent rolls happens to be substantially straight and aligned with said vertical knife, no problem is presented. However, if the natural joint is not straight and also if the joint is not in longitudinal alignment with the plane of the vertical knife, it is obvious that the vertical incission will be made into one side of one of the rolls for example, along a straight line, but not coextensive with the natural joint between the upper portions of adjacent rolls. This situation results in unsightly rolls and not infrequently causes customer complaints. lf such misalignment of theinc issions is sufficiently great, the cluster of rolls containing. such misalignment is classified as a cripple. Such clusters sometimes cause difficulty in packaging machines. After being packaged, such a situation may go unnoticed and ultimately reaches the display shelf in a grocery store or the like. If a customer happens to buy one of these items dissatisfaction results and the purpose of the present invention is to avoid such misalignment in the vertical separation between the upper portions of clusters of rolls from occuring, as well as for other purposes described below.

To illustrate the pricniple of common types of roll slicing machines now" in use, attention is directed to US. Pat. No. 2,753,907, to Schmidt et al, dated July 10, 1956, as charactertic of a number of similar machines in use in bakeries at present. It will be seen that in addition to the horizontal, disc-like blades which simultaneously slice the sides of adjoining rolls in a cluster, this patent shows a plurality of vertical knives which partially slice along the sides of adjoining rolls from the top to a depth of approximately midway of the height of the rolls for purposes of providing the aforementioned clearance for the shaft of the horizontal knives. This type of structure is incapable of effecting such vertical slices accurately along the natural joint between adjacent rolls because of unevenesses occuring along said joint as well as variations in the width of adjacent rolls, regardless of whether the same are elongated frankfurter type rolls or substantially circular, so called hamburg type rolls which are arranged in clusters.

It also has been found when a plurality of clusters of rolls of the several types referred to above are proofed and baked in side-by-side relationship the clusters adhere to eachother. Roll slicing machines normally have a vertical rib parallel to and midway between the sides of the machine along the entrance end thereof to properly align the clusters relative to the knives positioned respectively to slice the rolls of the clusters guided along opposite sides of said guide rib. If a pair of clusters are adhered to each other in such side-by-side relationship when introduced to the inlet end of the machine, the intermediate adhered portions will abut against the leading end of said vertical rib, as the clusters are fed by the conveyor of the machine, and cause a jam-up in machine, resulting in delay and inconvenience as well as ruining some of the rolls.

Another difficulty encountered in bakeries at present with respect to slicing rolls arises from the fact that purchasers of rolls require different amounts of rolls in a package or clusters of rolls within a package. For example, with regard to frankfurter rolls, the size and prices of frankfurters sold in a package affects the number of frankfurter rolls preferred in clusters and packages thereof as merchandized at present. For example, if twelve frankfurters are sold in a package, it is obvious that having twelve frankfurters rolls in a package is preferred by the customer buying that particular package of frankfurters. However, if only eight frankfurters are sold in a package, then packages of only eight frankfurter rolls are desired.

Arranging frankfurter rolls in clusters to be adapted to packages of eight or twelve requires, according to common practice at present, clusters of rolls either four or six rolls wide, said rolls being joined together during the proofing of the dough from which the rolls are baked. Thus, two clusters of four rolls wide are stacked together to provide packages of eight rolls; correspondingly, two clusters of six rolls wide are packaged together to provide a package of twelve rolls. Slicing the clusters'of four rolls wide has a different arrangement of knives from those required to slice clusters of six rolls. Usually, four horizontal disc-like knives are required to slice clusters of six rolls wide, while five horizontal knives are required to slice two clusters of four rolls each simultaneously so as, preferably, to utilize substantially the full width of the machine economically.

In addition to slicing frankfurter rolls, it also is custornary to utilize machines of the present type to slice clusters of circular, so-called hamburg rolls, which are arranged four to a cluster in a square configuration. Slicing such clusters of four rolls usually is accomplished by slicing two clusters of four rolls each simultaneously, and employing three disc-like knives to accomplish this, the diameters of said knives being substantially larger than those to employ frankfurter rolls.

Roll slicing machines currently used normally are provided with knife-supporting units which are transversely adjustable to the path of movement of the rolls by the supporting conveyor in the machine. Similarly, the shafts upon which the horizontal knives are mounted normally are readily removable either for exchange of knives of different sizes, or sharpening, and the like. According to current practice, when it is desired to adapt the machine to slicing two clusters of four rolls each simultaneously, it is necessary to effect transverse adjustment of the knife-supporting unit to slice such clusters of four rolls each, in the event the machine has been previously set for slicing different arrangements of rolls. Simarily, a different adjustment is required to slice clusters of six frankfurter rolls and, still further, another adjustment is necessary to adapte the machine to slice clusters of four hamburger rolls. In addition to transverse adjustment being necessary, exchanges of knives of different sizes also is involved in effecting the foregoing arrangements.

To accomplish such adjustments and arrangements in currently used machines, it is necessary to stop the machine, elevate the frame upon which the knives are mounted, effect the necessary transverse adjustment and also dispose the knives of required diameter in the desired locations in order to adapt the machine for slicing a desired type and size of cluster of rolls selected from those, for example, described for exemplary purposes hereinabove. Such adjustment and setting of the machine is quite time consuming and time is of the essence in preparing bakery products for delivery in order to maintain the products fresh. Therefore, another feature of the present invention is to provide an arrangement in which such adjustment and setting of the machine for different types of slicing operations is eliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON It is the principle object of the present invention to provide in operative relationship with respect to the horizontal, disc-like slicing knives of roll slicing machines, rotatable elements which operate adjacent the foremost edges of the disc-like knives and immediately above the upper surface of the latter to break apart the upper portions of adjacent rolls in a cluster along the natural joint between said adjacent rolls, without slicing the same vertically, to provide a passage for the shaft of the disc-like knife which is arranged to pass between adjacent rolls incident to simultaneously slicing the same inwardly from such adjacent edges and intermediately between the top and bottom of the rolls.

it is another object of the invention to utilize pairs of simultaneously rotatable spindles supported adjacent their upper ends in bearing blocks positioned forwardly of the shafts for said horizontal disc-like knives and respectively rotated in opposite directions, the lower, operative ends of said spindles being closely adjacent each other for engagement with substantially the upper halves of pairs of adjacent rolls along the joint therebetween for purposes of gently breaking apart the upper portions of said rolls along said joint, to provide a passage therebetween for the shaft of the disc-like knife, while permitting the lower portions of said rolls below the horizontal incissions made therein substantially to remain intact, thereby preserving the connections of the rolls in said cluster, especially to facilitate packing the same.

It is a further object of the invention to drive one of said spindles by simple pulley arrangement which is interconnected to a driving pulley on the shaft of the horizontal knife, for example, with which the separating spindles are associated, and means being provided on said driven spindle to drive the opposite spindle of the pair thereof.

It is still another object of the invention ancillary to the foregoing object to provide friction-type elastomeric drive means on said one spindle positioned in engagement with the driving area on the opposite spindle, thereby providing simple but highly effective driving means for the spindles.

A still further object of the invention is to mount a pair of said above-mentioned spindles forwardly of the leading end of the dividing rib extending from the cutting head toward the inlet end of the machine and provide the same preferably with a self-contained power means to drive the spindles, the operating types of the spindles functioning to break apart the adhering portions of the pairs of clusters of rolls to operate the same in order that each cluster may pass along the dividing rib without hindrance or obstruction and thus avoid jam-ups of the machine as now occurs when no means are provided to separate adhering clusters of rolls when they reach the leading end of the dividing rib.

Still another object of the invention is to provide on the horizontal base frame of the slicing machine a plurality of transversely extending frames of similar nature spaced longitudinally along said base frame and supported thereby for movement of the transverse frame toward and from operative position with respect to the roll-supporting conveyor of the base frame, each transverse frame having means to support the same in inoperative position with respect to said conveyor, said transverse frames respectively supporting different arrangements of slicing knives and separating spindles adapted, for example, to slice and provide shaftclearing passages in the upper portions of the rolls or cluster, whereby the slicing separating means on only one of said transverse frames is placed in operation at any individual time, yet permitting movement of the transverse frames with undesired arrangements for given operations to the inoperative positions thereof and move the transverse frame having the desired slicing and separating arrangement into operative position with respect to said conveyor.

Another object of the invention ancillary to the foregoing object is to provide linkage means on each of said transverse frames which supports the same in the inoperative position thereof, and latch means ofa safety nature being provided to maintain said linkage in the supporting position for said transverse frame without danger of the transverse frames accidentally moving to operative position while another of the frames is disposed in its operative position, thereby providing safety for the operators as well as minimizing possible damage to the machine.

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the fol- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary transverse frame upon which an arrangement of disc-like roll slicing knives are supported together with roll separating means embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical elevation of the transverse frame and knife arrangement shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the transverse frame and knife arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of a roll separating unit embodying the principles of the present invention and illustrated on a larger scale than employed in the preceding Figures.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the separating unit shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation of the lower end of the preferred configuration of spindle shown in the units illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 and employing a larger scale than in said-preceding Figures.

FIG. 7 is a bottom'plan view of the portion of the spindle shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view showing an arrangement of one type of roll cluster and the knife arrangement employed to slice the same in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively are diagrammatic illustrations similar to that shown in FIG. 8 and respectively illustrating still further arrangements of roll cluster and knife arrangement utilized in slicing rolls in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view showing three different arrangements of slicing knives and roll separating means in transverse'frames of the types shown in FIGS. I-3 and respectively arranged in longitudinal disposition along the base frame and conveyor of the machine.

FIG/l2 is a side elevation of the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 11 and illustrating two of the transverse frames disposed in inoperative position and one of said frames being shown in operative relationship with respect to the base frame and conveyor, one of the inoperatively positioned units being only illustrated fragmentarly in order to adapt the same to the sheet.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top plan view of the machine shown in FIGS. l-3 but further showing an additional spindle unit mounted adjacent the forward end ofa dividing rib at the inlet end of the machine and operable to separate adhering clusters of rolls to permit the same to pass along opposite sides of said ribs without hindrance. 1

FIG. 14 is a front end elevation of the machine shown in FIG. 13 but omitting the slicing mechanism for simplicity of the view.

FIG. 15 is a, fragmentary side elevation of the part of the machine shown in FIG. 14, partly foreshortened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION One of the principal features of the present invention comprises the provision of roll-separating means comprising units in which a pair of spindles are rotatably supported in association with certain selected disc-like knives which slice rolls horizontally, midway between the tops and bottoms thereof. Accordingly, details of the basic machine with which the present invention is associated have been minimized in the illustration shown in the drawings comprising a part of this application. For greater explanation of such details however. if desired, attention is directed to said aforementioned US Pat. No. 2,753,907, as well as other similar patents in the roll-slicing art. In accord with this type ofillustration, therefor, the main or base frame of the machine is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically only in FIGS. 11 and 12 in which side members 10 of the base frame are shown fragmentarily. It is to be understood that appropriate supporting frame means such as vertical legs and the like, all of well known construction, will be employed to support said side members 10.

Referring to FIGS. l-3, there also is illustrated fragmentarily, a conventional type of roll-supporting conveyor 12 which preferably is ofa frictional nature, such as by being formed from appropriate rubber compounds, certain types of synthetic resins and otherwise. Various frictional configurations are formed on the operative surfaces of conveyors of this type, all of which are also of conventional nature. The conveyor 12 moves in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 with respect to one of a plurality of transversely extending frames 14 with which the present invention primarily is concerned. The frames 14 each comprise a pair of side plates 16 between which suitable transverse frame members 18 and 20 extend. The ends of the side plates 16 opposite those to which the member 20 is connected also are provided with bearing apertures 22 for connection to suitable supporting pintles, not shown, which are supported by the base frame side members 10 for example.

The frames 14 also each contain an inner frame primarily comprising side plates 24 between which suit able transverse frame members, such as member 26, extend. Upright members 28 project from frame member 26 and support brackets 30 to which the preferably single power source for each of the frame 14 is supplied in the nature of an electric motor 32. Conventional power conduits and control switches are employed in connection with each of the motors 32 but in order to simplify illustration, such details have been omitted due to the conventional nature thereof.

The aforementioned inner frame is vertically adjustable with respect to the frame 14. Such adjustment also is substantially of conventional nature, whereby only the essentials of the adjustment means are shown in FIG. 1. It will be seen that each of the side plates 24 shown in FIG. 1 support vertical screw means 34 at longitudinally spaced locations along the outer sides of the plates 24. Bevel gears are mounted on the upper ends of the screw means which thread through blocks 36 projecting outwardly from the side plates 24. The bevel gears respectively mesh with perpendicular bevel gears 38 fixed at longitudinally spaced locations to horizontal shafts 40 which are supported at spaced locations within appropriate bearing members 42 which are fixed to and extend inwardly from the inner surfaces of the side plates 16 of the frame 14. The shafts 40 also have sprocket gears 44 connected thereto between and around which a sprocket chain 46 extends. One of the shafts 40 projects forwardly through the frame member 20, as shown in FIG. 1,.and has an operating hand wheel 48 thereon for ready access by an operator to adjust the vertical position of the inner frame relative to the outer frame 14.

Extending transversely between and fixed at the ends thereof to the side plates 24 of the inner frame are a pair of transverse guide rods 50 and 52 which respectively slideably support a plurality of shaft blocks 54 which, as shown best in FIG. 3, extend horizontally and. on the forward end of each, support a vertical bearing 56, as shown in FIG. 1-3. Each of said bearings supports a vertical shaft 58, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to a disc-like knife 60. The peripheries of the knives 60 are maintained in very sharp condition and preferably are slightly serrated to facilitate the slicing operation, especially of freshly baked rolls which normally are of a very soft nature. Also, the shafts 58 are readily removable from the vertical bearings 56 for purposes of exchange of the shafts and their knives 60 for shafts having knives of different diameters thereon. This feature also is of conventional nature and details are not shown.

The upper end of each of the shafts 58 is provided with a pulley 62. A driving pulley 64 is secured to the lower end of the drive shaft of motor 32, as best shown in FIG. 3. A flexible frictional belt 66 extends around the pulleys 62 as well as around certain idler pulleys 68, in accordance with the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, for purposes of driving the pulley 62 in the direction of the arrows, shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 1, for simultaneously rotating all of the knives 60.

Adjacent opposite ends of the aforementioned inner frame are a pair of parallel rollers 70 and 72 around which a plurality of frictional belts 74 extend, in transversely spaced relationship with respect to each other, as shown in FIG. 1, for purposes of engaging the upper surfaces of rolls 76, one of which is shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 3 preparatory to being engaged by the knife 60. By way of example, the roll 76 is a frankfurter .roll of the type shown in FIGS. 9 and for example. It will be seen that the relative position of the lower course of the belts 74 with respect to the main conveyor l2, and the adjustment of the vertical elevation of the knives 60 between the same, as shown in FIG. 3, is such as to cause the knives 60 to slice the rolls 76 between the top and bottom thereof substantially midway of the vertical dimension of the rolls 76. Suitable adjustment is permitted in the machine to cause this to be accomplished in accordance with conventional construction. Also, it-is to be understood that the roller 70 is the drive roller and the same is motivated by suitable connection with the output shaft of motor 32 by transmission means of conventional consturction, not shown. Also, the roller 72 moves in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, in order to move the lower course of the belts 74 in the same direction as the conveyor 12, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3, and preferably at substantially the same speed, whereby there is no tendency to mis-align the rolls 76 during their passage between the belts 74 and the conveyor 12.

From FIG. 3, it will also be seen that the lower course of the belt 74 is engaged by a plurality of positioning rollers 78 of small diameter which extend between a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending links 80, respectively disposed adjacent the side plates 24 of the inner frame, said links also being supported adjacent opposite ends thereof by angularly depending links 82, the upper ends of which are connected to suitable shafts extending between the side plates 24, thereby providing parallel movement of the links 80 and, correspondingly, of the positioning roller 78 relative to the conveyor 12. The engagement of the positioning roller 78 with the lower courses of the belts 74 preferably is effected by gravity.

As can be visualized particularly from FIGS. 8-10, the clusters of the rolls 76, regardless of the number of rolls contained therein, are moved by the conveyor 12 toward the knives 60. As they approach the knives, the upper surfaces of the clusters are engaged by the lower courses of the belts 74 which, if desired, may have transverse cleats thereon, of conventional type, to provide limiting downward pressure upon the upper surfaces of the rolls 76 in order to insure accurate positioning thereof for engagement by the knives in order to accurately slice the same inwardly from one edge and intermediately between the tops and bottoms of the rolls. However, incident to accomplishing such slicing operation, it.must be borne in mind that the adjacent rolls in each cluster are connected together by joints which are formed during the proofing of the particles of dough which are shaped initially to form the various rolls. During such proofing, as the dough expands, adjacent sides of the particles of dough ultimately engage each other and form a separable joint. Such joints are desirable for purposes of maintaining the rolls of each cluster in engagement with each other and thereby facilitate the packaging thereof. However, such joints offer impedance to the passage of the shaft 58 of each knife as the knives 60 slice the rolls as aforesaid. As indicated hereinabove, the previous means for effecting ready passage of the shaft 58 between adjacent rolls being sliced was to provide a knife operable in a vertical plane, ahead of the horizontal knives 60, to partially slice the clusters of rolls between certain ones to a depth extending approximately from the top to half of the vertical dimension of the roll. Very few joint lines between rolls of an elongated nature, particularly such as frankfurter rolls, are straight. Therefore, when sliced by such vertical knives, almost invariably, portions of one roll or the other were sliced along the upper portions thereof to include a small part of the body on one roll with the opposite roll, rather than dividing the rolls along the joint there-between formed by the proofing operation. It is the principal objective of the present invention to obviate this difficulty by eliminating such vertical knives and instead, substiuting a roll-breaking or separating unit in connection with each knife shaft 58 which is required to pass between pairs of adjacent rolls which are simultaneously to be sliced by the knives 60. Details of such breaking or separating means are as follows.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 in particular, in which frankfurter rolls 76 are illustrsted, it is seen that only certain of the knives 60 simultaneously slice pairs of adjacent rolls which are connected by proofing joints. For example, in FIG. 9, knives A and B are the only ones which simultaneously slice the two intermediate rolls 76 of each cluster of four thereof. The central knife and the outermost knive respectively slice the outermost rolls of each of the clusters of four. Therefore, it is only necessary for the shafts of knives A and B to have means provided by which the shafts may pass between the upper portions of the rolls being sliced simultaneously by the knives 60 thereon.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 10, in which a cluster of six rolls are shown, it is only necessary that the intermediate knives 60, identified as C and D, shall have their shafts pass respectively between the second and third and the fourth and fifth rolls 76 of the cluster of six thereof, while the outermost knives 60 respectively engage the outermost rolls in each cluster of six.

The present invention provides roll-separating or breaking units 84 which are best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. These units comprise a bearing block 86 which is secured by suitable means, such as a pair of bolts, which extend through openings 88 in the block 86 to secure the block to the forward face, for example, of the vertical bearing 56 of each shaft block 54 which support the shafts 58 that require such passage between adjacent pairs of rolls 76. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second and fourth vertical bearings 56 each support one of the units 84. This ia an exemplary illustration to be considered in relation, for example, to the diagrammatic arrangement shown in FIG..9. However, in a unit where only four of the knives 60 are supported, such as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 60, the plan view thereof corresponding to that of FIG. 1 which shows only four of the shaft blocks 54.

Reverting to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be-seen that each of the bearing blocks 86 is bored in a substantially vertical direction suitably to provide for the support of anti-friction bearings 90 adjacent the upper and lower portions of the block 86, and suitable positioning collars 92 are mounted adjacent the bearings 90 with respect to a pair of similar spindles 94 which extend through the bearing 90. In side elevation, as viewed in FIG. 5, the axes of the spindles 94 are substantially vertical. However, as seen in FIG. 4, which is a face view thereof, as viewed in FIG. 2 for example, it will be seen that the axes of the spindles 94 are disposed at an angle of approximately 15 and the lower, operative ends 96 of said spindles are somewhat chiselshaped, preferably somewhat resembling the operative end of the bit of a screw driver. In actual construction, the operative ends 96 are approximately about Me inch wide and 1/16 of an inch in thickness. From FIG. 4, it will also be seen that said operative ends are in close juxtaposition so as to facilitate the operation of separating a pair of adjacent rolls 76 along the joint provided therebetween.

One of the spindles 94 is selected as the driving spinclle. Said spindle is provided with a pulley 98 on the upper end thereof, and as shown in FIG. 1, the shafts 58 of the second and fourth shaft blocks 54 are provided with a driving pulley 100 around which a small frictional driving belt extends, said belt also extending around the pulley 98.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the same means which drive the shafts 58 and knives 60 also drive one of the spindles 94. To simplify the driving arrangement for the other spindle 94, it will be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 that a plurality of frictional-driving members 102 extend around a suitable hub on the first men tioned shaft 94 for engagement with a companion hub 104 on the other shaft 94. For simplicity and by way of example, the driving members 102 may comprise rings of standard construction and the same preferably are mounted within appropriate concave, circular grooves formed in the hub 106 on the first mentioned spindle. The surface on hub 104 which is engaged by the members 102 preferably is in alignment with a plane which extends between and divides the angle between the axes of the spindles 94 as viewed in FIG. 4. Thus it will be seen that such drive means between the spindles 94 not only causes the first mentioned spindle to drive the second one, but also, said spindles rotate in opposite directions. This causes the operative ends 96 of the spindles to provide adequate frictional means to gently engage the surfaces of adjacent rolls along the joint between said rolls which is disposed above the plane of the slicing knives 60. The direction of rotation is such that the operative ends 96 break or move apart the joined surfaces of the rolls gently and, of equal im portance, it is a fact that due to the compressible nature of the rolls, as the ends 96 engage the same, there is the ability for one or the other of the operative ends 96 to be momentarily'indented into one of the joined surfaces to a greater extent then the other. This results in the line ofjoint between the upper portions of a pair of adjacent rolls to adapt itself to the positions of the operative ends 96 of spindles 94 so that there is accurate In practice, it has been found that the separating or breaking units 84 operate to complete satisfaction in separating the upper portions of the rolls 76 which have been sliced relative to the lower portion thereof by knives immediately ahead of engagement of the joint between said rolls by the operative ends 96 of the spindles 94 of the units 84. Due to the fact that the separation is of a gentle nature, there is no appreciable tendency for such separation to disturb the joint occuring continually between the lower portions of the joined rolls below the incission made by the knives 60, whereby when the clusters of rolls emerge from the discharge end of the frames 14, the rolls of each cluster still remain intact, not withstanding the fact that the upper portions of certain adjacent rolls have been separated by the operation of the units 84. The appearance of such clusters following such separation by the units 84 and the horizontal slicing thereof by the knives 60 is substantially the same as the appearance of the clus- I ters prior to being contacted by the machine in any way. Thus, no called cripples are produced by slicing Referring to FIG. 8, a lesser number of knives 60 are required to slice-the clusters 108 of hamburger rolls which normally are of a square nature and comprise four rolls connected along separable lines. Generally, two clusters .of four rolls each are sliced simultaneously, whereby the central knife 60, as viewed in FIG. 8, slices the adjacent pairs of rolls of the two clusters, while the outermost knives 60 each slice the outermost pair of rolls on each cluster. Thus, there is no need for employing units 84 of the type comprising the present invention. However, in order to render a slicing machine fully capable of slicing rolls of the normal type which, in the present markets, are sold in sliced condition with the exception of one edge of each roll comprising a hinge portion, it is essential that in order to provide a slicing machine of substantially universal nature, the same must be capable of slicing clusters of hamburg rolls of four rolls each.

With the foregoing in mind, attention is directed to FIGS. 11 and 12 in which it will be seen that a plurality of the transversely extending frames 14 are mounted in longitudinal arrangement along the side members of a base frame of the machine. It will be understood, especially from FIG. 11, that the left hand frame 14 is of the type employing four knives 60 to slice clusters of six rolls each for example, as shown in FIG. 10; the intermediate frame 14 is of the type shown in FIG. 8 for purposes of slicing simultaneously two clusters of hamburger rolls of four each; and the right hand frame 14 is provided with five knives 60, such as shown respectively in FIGS. 9 and 11, for slicing simultaneously two clusters of four rolls each.

Further in accordance with the invention, in order that it will not be necessary to stop the machine and rearrange the knives 60 and the transverse spacing of the same with respect to each other, as now is necessary in conventional slicing machines, it will be seen that the frames 14 are respectively movable between the elevated, inoperative positions shown in FIG. 12, while the intermediate frame 14 is disposed in normal, operative position. When the frames 14 are moved to the elevated, inoperative position for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the motors 32 thereof are inoperative, as controlled by appropriate switch means, not shown. For purposes of maintaining the unused frames 14 and the slicing means supported therein within the inoperative positions shown in exemplary manner in FIG. 12, suitable linkage 110 is connected, for example, adjacent one side of the frames 14 and the side members 10 of the base frame. Such linkage may be of a toggle-type. Upon raising the frames 14 from the lowered, to the pivoted and elevated inoperative positions such as shown adjacent the opposite ends of FIG. 12, appropriate snap type latch means 112 are mounted along the side member 10 of the base frame and are suitably spring pressed or otherwise so as to snap behind the linkage 110 incident to the frame 14 being raised, and thereby securely and safely latch the linkage 110 in position to maintain the inoperative frames 14 in such elevated positions against danger of the same accidentally being restored to operative position while one of the other frames 14 is intentionally positioned in such operative position.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a plurality of transverse frames 14 respectively including different arrangements of slicing knives and, where necessary, different arrangements of separating and breaking units 84 are provided at appropriate locations for ready access and quick positioning within lowered, operative positions, as well as elevated, inoperative positions, depending upon the types of clusters of rolls being passed through the machine at any given time, thereby eliminating the time consuming and pains-taking present procedures of individually changing knives and supporting shafts, adjusting the transverse relationship of the same with respect to each other, and otherwise.

Although the description of roll cluster and knife arrangements have been set forth above relative to clusters of four and six frankfurter rolls and four hamburg rolls, the machine is quite versatile, especially with regard to frankfurter rolls. For example, clusters of five frankfurters rolls are gaining in popularity and the machine quite easily is adapted to slice and separate the upper portions thereof along the joints such as, for example, by using the arrangement of knives and spindles as in FIG. 10 but omit one of the outermost slicing knives 60. Other variations are also possible.

In accordance with conventional practice, by referring to FIG. I, it will also be seen that the individual shaft blocks 54, which are supported and guided upon guide rods 50 and 52, may individually be adjusted in transverse direction, toward and from each other, by including a plurality of adjusting screws 114 and 116 which respectively extend inwardly from opposite sides of the side plates 16, the shafts 114 having threaded engagement with the second and fourth shaft blocks 54 for example, passing through appropriate openings in the outermost shaft blocks 54, for example, while the screws 116 are shorter than the screws 114 and extend only into threaded engagement with the outermost shaft blocks 54. The'outer ends of the screws 114 and 116 are suitably shaped for easy engagement with wrench means or the like to effect rotation of the screws in the desired directions and thereby adjust the shafts blocks 54, as desired.

In addition to the foregoing advantages of the rollslicing machine described hereinabove, particularly for purposes of separating certain portions of rolls of each cluster of rolls to provide access for the shaft of each slicing knife, it has been found that the same machine very readily may be provided with means to separate adhering clusters of rolls, either of the frankfurter or hamburg type, and thereby prevent a jam-up at the inlet or entrance end of the machine resulting from such adhering clusters abutting the leading end of a vertical plate comprising a dividing rib 118 which, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, extends longitudinally along the machine for purposes of guiding individual clusters of rolls 76 shown in FIG. 9 and clusters of rolls 108 in FIG. 8, as the same advance toward the slicing knives. From FIG. 13, it can readily be visualized that the central dividing rib 118 is so positioned that if two clusters of rolls 108 are proofed and, consequently, baked in adhering relationship, when the same engage the leading end of the dividing rib 118, movement of said connected clusters by the belt 12 will be halted, whereby one of several undesirable situations occurs. One of these is that the oncoming clusters of rolls will be jammed and thus require stopping the machine to clear the same. Another situation is that the rolls may be mutilated and torn in one of a number of ways so as to render the same unfit for sale. All of this is attended by a loss of time and impairs the production rate of the machine. The present invention is provided with additional means to readily prevent such occurances, as follows.

In regard to the foregoing feature of the machine, attention is especially directed to FIGS. 13-15. In FIG. 13 for example, it will be seen that the machine is provided with a pair of transverse guide rods 120 which extend between the opposite side plates 16 of the machine for purposes of supporting not only the side plates 24 of the inner frame, referred to above, but also the central dividing rib 118. Such guide rods also are utilized for purposes of supporting an additional horizontal member 122 which is supported in substantially horizontal parallel relationship to the dividing rib 118 but vertically spaced above the same as clearly shown in FIG. 15. The member 122 also is articulated and includes a forward section 124 which is supported relative to the forward end of the member 122 by a transverse pivot 126.

Attached to the leading end of the forward section 124 of member 122 is another separating or breaking unit 84 which is, in most respects, identical with the units 84 otherwise shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-7. That is, the unit 84 shown especially in FIGS. 13-15 comprises a bearing block 86 and includes appropriate bores within which the upper ends of the spindles 94 are mounted, the same being supported by suitable bearings of an anti-friction nature within said block, such as the bearings 90 shown in FIG. 4. Spindles 94 also are respectively provided with companion hubs 104 and 106 to effect simultaneous rotation thereof respectively in opposite directions as in regard to the spindles 94 in FIGS. 4 and 5. Also in regard to the same spindles, one of them is provided with anti-friction means such as O-rings 102.

The roll separating and breaking units 84 shown in FIGS. 13 and differ from the units 84 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 for example to the extent that the units 84 of FIGS. 13-15 are provided with self-contained power means 128 which, for example, may comprise an air-motor 130 which may be supplied with air from any suitable source by means of an exemplary conduit 132. The air motor 130 may be attached by a suitable bracket 134 to the bearing block 86 for example by any appropriate means such as bolts. The air motor 130 has a shaft which supports a pulley 136 and one of the spindles 94 projects upwardly from the bearing block 86 and has another pulley 138 connected thereto in transverse alignment with pulley 136. A flexible belt 140 extends around the pulleys to effect a driving relationshop therebetween.

As in regard to the separating and breaking units 84 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-7 for example, the lower extremties of the spindles 94 comprise bits 96 which are rotated rapidly in opposite rotary directions by the air motor 130. In view of the fact that the bits 96 are disposed forwardly of the foremost end 142 of dividing rib 118, it will be seen that as a pair of adhering clusters of rolls 76 or 108 approach said foremost end 142 of dividing rib 118, the bits 96 on the spindle are rotated in a direction to effect separation between the adhering clusters and thereby cause the same to pass in unobstructed manner respectively along opposite sides of the dividing rib 118 as readily can be appreciated from FIG. 13 relative to the clusters 76. In said FIG., clusters 108 which are exemplary hamburg rolls, as distinguished from the frankfurter rolls 76 in said figure, the adhering clusters 108 likewise will be separated by the bits 96 on the spindles 94 of the additional separating and breaking unit 84 mounted on member 122.

In the event the slicing machine is to be employed for purposes which do not require the use of the additional separating and breaking unit 84 which is supported on member 122, it will be seen that the additional unit 84 may be moved to inoperative position illustrated in phantom in FIG. '15, by pivoting the forward section 124 of horizontal member 122 upwardly to said inoperative position. If desired, appropriate latch means may be provided of-a conventional nature for purposes of maintaining the unit 84 in said inoperative position, within the spirit of the present invention.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides improved means for passing the shafts of horizontal slicing knives between pairs of connected rolls or clusters thereof by means which follow the natural joint between such pairs of rolls and thereby results in the formation of sliced clusters having an attractive appearance. Further, by providing a plurality of transverse frames, each having a different arrangement of knives, saves time in the operation thereof.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. A machine for slicing rolls between the tops and bottoms thereof while arranged in clusters of adjoined rolls by cutting into one side of each roll along a longitudinal joint between adjacent rolls in said cluster, said machine comprising conveyor means operable to support and feed clusters of rolls along a predetermined path and a rotating knife mounted upon the end of a drive shaft extending substantially perpendicularly to said conveyor means and supporting said knife in spaced parallel relation thereto to position said knife substantially midway between the top and bottom of rolls to be sliced, in combination with means positioned forwardly of said drive shaft in said path of movement of rolls to be sliced and supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and substantially in longitudinal alignment with said shaft and above said knife and operable to break apart a pair of rolls along the joint therebetween above the slice therein to provide a clearance between said pair of rolls for passage of said shaft therethrough incident to said rolls being sliced from end to end.

2. The machine according to claim 1 in which said means to break apart the rolls along the joint above the slice comprises at least one member rotating about an axis substantially in line with the path for said joint between pairs or rolls.

3. The machine according to claim 2 further including power means connected to said shaft for said knife to rotate the same, and means connecting said rotatable roll breaking member to said shaft to rotate the same.

4. The machine according to claim 1 in which said means to break apart the rolls along the joint above said slice comprise a pair of spindles having similar operative ends extending substantially perpendicularly downward toward the upper surface of the forward portion of said knife, said spindles being supported for rotation about the axis thereof in side-by-side relationship on opposite sides of a line extending longitudinally to the axis of said shaft for said knife in parallel relation to the path of movement of rolls to be sliced by said knife, and means connected to said spindles adapted to rotate the same in opposite directions to break apart the portions of said rolls above the slices therein along the joint therebetween.

5. The machine according to claim 4 including power means connected to said shaft for said knife to rotate it, and means connecting said shaft to at least one of said spindles to rotate the same as aforesaid.

6. The machine according to claim 5 in which drive means are provided on one of said spindles and engaging the other spindle to rotate it simultaneously.

7. The machine according to claim 6 in which said drive means on said one of said spindles is frictional.

8. The machine according to claim 6 in which said drive means comprises a ring of elastomeric material secured to one spindle and frictionally engaging the other.

9. The machine according to claim in which said shaft for said knife is supported in a bearing mount, and said mount supporting additional bearings for the upper end portions of said spindles.

10. The machine according to claim 9 in which said additional bearings for said spindles are supported in a bearing block connected to the forward portion of said mount.

11. The machine according to claim 9 further including pulleys on said shaft and one of said spindles, and an endless drive belt extending around and between said pulleys.

12. The machine according to claim 4 in which said spindles are supported by bearings to dispose the axes of said spindles at an angle of approximately to each other, said spindles diverging toward the upper ends thereof away from the lower operative ends which are closely adjacent each other.

13. The machine according to claim 4 in which a plurality of said shafts having knives on the lower ends thereof are mounted upon a frame extending transversely across and above said conveyor means, said machine further including a motor supported by said frame and having a drive pulley thereon, drive pulleys on said shafts, a belt extending around said drive pulley on said motor and also around said pulleys on said shafts to rotate all of said shafts simultaneously, the knives on the outermost shafts being engageable with the outermost rolls of clusters to be sliced, pairs of said spindles being supported adjacent the knives positioned to simultaneously slice pairs of rolls connected along joints therebetween, and drive means connected between one spindle of each pair and the shaft of the knife with which said pair of spindles is associated to drive the same to separate said upper portions of said rolls along the joints therebetween as aforesaid.

14. The machine according to claim 13 in which a plurality of said frames are mounted in longitudinally spaced relationship along said conveyor means, base frame means extending longitudinally of said machine and supporting said frames for said knives, each of said frames respectively having a different arrangement of knives and spindles for breaking apart different cluster arrangements of rolls, means on said base frame supporting said frames for said knife arrangements for movement toward and from operative positions relative to said conveyor means, and means connected to each of said frames for said knife arrangements and operable to support the same in inoperative position above said conveyor means when a slected frame is in operative position relative to said conveyor means.

15. The machine according to claim 14 in which said frames for said knife arrangements are pivotally connected adjacent one end relative to said base frame means and when moved to inoperative position the knives thereon being removed from alignment with the path of movement of rolls upon said conveyor means, and said means to support said frames in inoperative position being connected to said frames and operable in a manner to elevate the opposite ends of said frames a substantial distance above said conveyor means.

16. The machine according to claim 15 in which said means to support said frames in inoperative positions comprise linkage means connected respectively between one side of said frames and one side of said base frame means.

l7. The machine according to claim 16 further including latch means engaging said linkage means when supporting a frame in inoperative position to maintain the same safely in such position.

18. ln a machine for slicing rolls in the form of clusters of rolls joined along longitudinal and/or transverse lines, said machine comprising conveyor means operable to support and feed clusters of said rolls along a predetermined path between inlet and exit ends thereof, rotatable knife means supported above said conveyor and operable to slice adjoining rolls longitudinally between the tops and bottoms thereof, and a vertical rib supported above said conveyor parallel to the direction of movement of said conveyor and extending upwardly from the upper surface of said conveyor intermediately between the opposite sides of said conveyor to divide said machine into a plurality of paths for clusters of rolls carried by said conveyor from the inlet end of said machine, in combination with cluster separating means adjacent the leading end of said rib and engageable with connected clusters of rolls upon said conveyor as they approach said rib and operable to break said clusters apart along longitudinal lines between said clusters.

19. The machine accordingly to claim 18 in which said cluster separating means comprise at least one member supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis substantially in line with said joint between adjacent clusters of rolls and thereby permitting the thus separated clusters respectively to move along opposite sides of said rib for engagement by the slicing knife means of said machine.

20. The machine according to claim 19 further including a second rotatable member adjacent said one member, and also including power means connected to said members and operable to rotate the same in opposite rotary directions and respectively engaging said clusters along the joint line therebetween in directions to break said clusters apart along the joint line therebetween.

21. The machine according to claim 20 further including drive means on said members between the ends thereof engaging each other, and said power means being connected to one of said members and said drive means effecting rotation of the other member by said one member.

22. The machine according to claim 20 in which said power means comprises a fluid-operated motor, and pulley and belt means on said motor and one member to establish driving connection therebetween.

23. The machine according to claim 20 further including side plates on said machine adjacent opposite sides of said conveyor, cross members extending between said side plates above said conveyor, a horizontal supporting member supported by said cross members intermediately between said side members, and a bearing block connected to said supporting member and supporting said rotatable members which are operable to break apart said clusters of rolls.

24. The machine according to claim 23 in which said bearing block is pivotally interconnected to said horizontal support member and operable to be moved from an operative position relative to said conveyor to an elevated inoperative position above said conveyor. 

1. A machine for slicing rolls between the tops and bottoms thereof while arranged in clusters of adjoined rolls by cutting into one side of each roll along a longitudinal joint between adjacent rolLs in said cluster, said machine comprising conveyor means operable to support and feed clusters of rolls along a predetermined path and a rotating knife mounted upon the end of a drive shaft extending substantially perpendicularly to said conveyor means and supporting said knife in spaced parallel relation thereto to position said knife substantially midway between the top and bottom of rolls to be sliced, in combination with means positioned forwardly of said drive shaft in said path of movement of rolls to be sliced and supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and substantially in longitudinal alignment with said shaft and above said knife and operable to break apart a pair of rolls along the joint therebetween above the slice therein to provide a clearance between said pair of rolls for passage of said shaft therethrough incident to said rolls being sliced from end to end.
 2. The machine according to claim 1 in which said means to break apart the rolls along the joint above the slice comprises at least one member rotating about an axis substantially in line with the path for said joint between pairs or rolls.
 3. The machine according to claim 2 further including power means connected to said shaft for said knife to rotate the same, and means connecting said rotatable roll breaking member to said shaft to rotate the same.
 4. The machine according to claim 1 in which said means to break apart the rolls along the joint above said slice comprise a pair of spindles having similar operative ends extending substantially perpendicularly downward toward the upper surface of the forward portion of said knife, said spindles being supported for rotation about the axis thereof in side-by-side relationship on opposite sides of a line extending longitudinally to the axis of said shaft for said knife in parallel relation to the path of movement of rolls to be sliced by said knife, and means connected to said spindles adapted to rotate the same in opposite directions to break apart the portions of said rolls above the slices therein along the joint therebetween.
 5. The machine according to claim 4 including power means connected to said shaft for said knife to rotate it, and means connecting said shaft to at least one of said spindles to rotate the same as aforesaid.
 6. The machine according to claim 5 in which drive means are provided on one of said spindles and engaging the other spindle to rotate it simultaneously.
 7. The machine according to claim 6 in which said drive means on said one of said spindles is frictional.
 8. The machine according to claim 6 in which said drive means comprises a ring of elastomeric material secured to one spindle and frictionally engaging the other.
 9. The machine according to claim 5 in which said shaft for said knife is supported in a bearing mount, and said mount supporting additional bearings for the upper end portions of said spindles.
 10. The machine according to claim 9 in which said additional bearings for said spindles are supported in a bearing block connected to the forward portion of said mount.
 11. The machine according to claim 9 further including pulleys on said shaft and one of said spindles, and an endless drive belt extending around and between said pulleys.
 12. The machine according to claim 4 in which said spindles are supported by bearings to dispose the axes of said spindles at an angle of approximately 15* to each other, said spindles diverging toward the upper ends thereof away from the lower operative ends which are closely adjacent each other.
 13. The machine according to claim 4 in which a plurality of said shafts having knives on the lower ends thereof are mounted upon a frame extending transversely across and above said conveyor means, said machine further including a motor supported by said frame and having a drive pulley thereon, drive pulleys on said shafts, a belt extending around said drive pulley on said motor and also around said pulleys on said shafts to rotate All of said shafts simultaneously, the knives on the outermost shafts being engageable with the outermost rolls of clusters to be sliced, pairs of said spindles being supported adjacent the knives positioned to simultaneously slice pairs of rolls connected along joints therebetween, and drive means connected between one spindle of each pair and the shaft of the knife with which said pair of spindles is associated to drive the same to separate said upper portions of said rolls along the joints therebetween as aforesaid.
 14. The machine according to claim 13 in which a plurality of said frames are mounted in longitudinally spaced relationship along said conveyor means, base frame means extending longitudinally of said machine and supporting said frames for said knives, each of said frames respectively having a different arrangement of knives and spindles for breaking apart different cluster arrangements of rolls, means on said base frame supporting said frames for said knife arrangements for movement toward and from operative positions relative to said conveyor means, and means connected to each of said frames for said knife arrangements and operable to support the same in inoperative position above said conveyor means when a slected frame is in operative position relative to said conveyor means.
 15. The machine according to claim 14 in which said frames for said knife arrangements are pivotally connected adjacent one end relative to said base frame means and when moved to inoperative position the knives thereon being removed from alignment with the path of movement of rolls upon said conveyor means, and said means to support said frames in inoperative position being connected to said frames and operable in a manner to elevate the opposite ends of said frames a substantial distance above said conveyor means.
 16. The machine according to claim 15 in which said means to support said frames in inoperative positions comprise linkage means connected respectively between one side of said frames and one side of said base frame means.
 17. The machine according to claim 16 further including latch means engaging said linkage means when supporting a frame in inoperative position to maintain the same safely in such position.
 18. In a machine for slicing rolls in the form of clusters of rolls joined along longitudinal and/or transverse lines, said machine comprising conveyor means operable to support and feed clusters of said rolls along a predetermined path between inlet and exit ends thereof, rotatable knife means supported above said conveyor and operable to slice adjoining rolls longitudinally between the tops and bottoms thereof, and a vertical rib supported above said conveyor parallel to the direction of movement of said conveyor and extending upwardly from the upper surface of said conveyor intermediately between the opposite sides of said conveyor to divide said machine into a plurality of paths for clusters of rolls carried by said conveyor from the inlet end of said machine, in combination with cluster separating means adjacent the leading end of said rib and engageable with connected clusters of rolls upon said conveyor as they approach said rib and operable to break said clusters apart along longitudinal lines between said clusters.
 19. The machine accordingly to claim 18 in which said cluster separating means comprise at least one member supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis substantially in line with said joint between adjacent clusters of rolls and thereby permitting the thus separated clusters respectively to move along opposite sides of said rib for engagement by the slicing knife means of said machine.
 20. The machine according to claim 19 further including a second rotatable member adjacent said one member, and also including power means connected to said members and operable to rotate the same in opposite rotary directions and respectively engaging said clusters along the joint line therebetween in directions to break said clusTers apart along the joint line therebetween.
 21. The machine according to claim 20 further including drive means on said members between the ends thereof engaging each other, and said power means being connected to one of said members and said drive means effecting rotation of the other member by said one member.
 22. The machine according to claim 20 in which said power means comprises a fluid-operated motor, and pulley and belt means on said motor and one member to establish driving connection therebetween.
 23. The machine according to claim 20 further including side plates on said machine adjacent opposite sides of said conveyor, cross members extending between said side plates above said conveyor, a horizontal supporting member supported by said cross members intermediately between said side members, and a bearing block connected to said supporting member and supporting said rotatable members which are operable to break apart said clusters of rolls.
 24. The machine according to claim 23 in which said bearing block is pivotally interconnected to said horizontal support member and operable to be moved from an operative position relative to said conveyor to an elevated inoperative position above said conveyor. 